Cross River Education Commissioner Confers With NASA Fellowship

Sen. Stephen Odey receiving the award from the President of NASA

Cross River State Commissioner for Education, Sen. Stephen Odey, has been conferred with the prestigious Fellowship of the Nigerian Anthropological and Sociological Practitioners Association (NASA). The honour was bestowed on him on Monday, November 11, during the 29th NASA annual conference held at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State. 

Odey, a lawyer, politician, and Associate Professor at the University of Calabar, according to President of NASA, Prof. Evelyn Hawau’u Yusuf was conferred the award in recognition of his contributions to sociology through his exceptional mentorship, research, development, leadership, and teaching.

She urged him and other awardees to continue to be remarkable ambassadors not only for the association but to motivate the younger generation who are looking up to them to strive for excellence.

Sen. Odey with Dr. David Nkpe and Prof. Obono, Cross Riverians that were also honored.

Reacting, Odey expressed gratitude to the President and leadership of NASA for the distinction, emphasizing that his life's work, both in academics and public service, has always focused on serving the people. He assured that the award will motivate him to be more invested in nurturing the next generation of sociologists to inspire positive change in society.

According to him, “if you know this profession, you’ll know that their fellowship is not for everybody. For them to recognize me and these gentlemen here among thousands others  shows that there’s something we are doing that stand us out. This is why I always advise the younger ones that whenever they’re given responsibility, they should ensure they give in their all to standout because we never can know the eyes that are watching us. 

For me, my whole life whether in public service or academics has been about the people. Therefore, this recognition will bring additional responsibility on me and all of us to do more. I want to assure NASA that we’ll go out there and continue to be good ambassadors of this noble field.”